Emir Zade Mosque: A Testament to Ottoman History in Chalkida

The Emir Zade Mosque, or Εμίρ Ζαδέ Τζαμί, is a historical Ottoman-era mosque located in Chalkida on the island of Euboea. Constructed in the late 15th century, shortly after the fall of Euboea to the Ottomans, it was one of three mosques within the walled city. The name 'Emir Zade' translates to 'Mosque of the Emir's son'.The mosque's architecture reflects a simple, single-dome style common in Greece and the Balkans. The building consists of a rectangular room covered by a hemispherical dome inside and octagonal outside, resting on four semi-conical domes. Originally, a cylindrical minaret stood on the southwest side, but only the square base remains today. A portico, which was once present, is also no longer standing. Inside, the mihrab, or niche, faces the east wall, with traces of the original décor still visible. Two marble plaques inscribed with excerpts from the Quran in Arabic crown the arch. The interior is illuminated by two parallel rows of windows.After the Greek War of Independence in 1821, the mosque was converted into a barracks. In 1937, it was declared a historical monument. Since the late 1950s, the building has undergone gradual restoration, and today it houses part of the medieval archaeological collection of Chalcis. The mosque dominates the modern city and is a symbol of its time. Scattered around the mosque are fragments of ancient columns and capitals, as well as a fountain built in 1655 with Arabic inscriptions. The marble slabs of the entrance frame feature inscriptions in Arabic, which read “enter here in peace and will be immortal in the name of all-merciful God”.While the museum is not always open to the public, visitors can arrange appointments through the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea to access the exhibition space.